SPRINGFIELD – "Cyber Defense and Disaster Recovery: Protecting Our Infrastructure Assets" is the subject of a daylong conference to be held Friday, March 7, on campus at the University of Illinois at Springfield. The conference is hosted by UIS' Computer Science department, in conjunction with InfraGard Springfield, and the Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance. Advance registration is required.

Janis Rose, conference chair and instructor of Computer Science at UIS, noted, "This year's program will address some of the major issues and challenges we face regarding security threats. The presentation will include practical, timely advice on what we can do – in both the public and private sectors – to mitigate the risks and enhance our abilities to recover when disasters occur."

Breakout sessions will consider the topic from various perspectives, including education, banking and finance, information technology, communications, and private sector business. The conference will conclude with a panel discussion and a question-and-answer session with the audience.

"Participants will learn effective problem-solving techniques based on real-world applications," said Rose. "This is a unique opportunity in Springfield. Professionals in all fields are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to learn what they can do to be better prepared."

Conference speakers will include Mark Cheviron, corporate vice president and director of security, Archer Daniels Midland; Denis Edgar-Nevill, head of the department of computing at Canterbury Christ Church University, England, and the author of numerous cyber crime forensics courses; an FBI response team; Bruce Finn, FDIC IT examiner; Steve Miller, Verizon Wireless state of Illinois data solutions manager; and Jeff Thompson, state of Illinois Central Management Services certified white-hat.

Cheviron will deliver the keynote address on "Role of the Private Sector in Protecting America's Critical Infrastructure." Edgar-Nevill's topic will be "Brute Force Equals Ignorance: Digital Robbery: A First Responder's More Vital Role in Decryption." Finn will speak on "Digital Robbery: Prevention and Mitigation." Miller will address "Continuity of Operations in Emergencies." Thompson will examine "Vulnerability Assessment: Viewing Your Network from a Hacker's Perspective"; and the FBI team will make a presentation on "Incident Response: The Inside-School Shooter."

The deadline to register is Wednesday, February 27. The $30 registration fee includes lunch. CISSP credit and CPDUs will be available to those who request them.

InfraGard is a partnership between the FBI and leaders in business, education, and government. CSSIA is the first comprehensive Information Technology Security and Data Assurance Center in the Midwest. Partial funding for this conference has been provided by the National Science Foundation ATE Program.

The University of Illinois at Springfield, one of three U of I campuses, is a small, public liberal arts university that offers 42 degree programs: 21 bachelorís, 20 masterís, and the Doctorate of Public Administration. UIS has a special mission in public affairs and service and is known for extraordinary internships, a wireless campus, extensive online offerings, and a commitment to teaching.